Ahamdinejad slams West for targeting Iran’s sovereignty

Tehran, Aug 2 (IANS) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has lashed out at the West, especially the US, for targeting the Islamic country’s dignity and sovereignty under the pretext of the ongoing nuclear issue, the official IRNA News agency reported Saturday. The “enemies” want us retreat from our nuclear drive and “are targeting our sovereignty” under the pretext of this issue, Ahamdinejad told a group of people in southern Tehran Friday.

“The key reason for the hostility of the enemies in the past 30 years against Iran is that they want us to pull back so that they can say we have given in,” he said referring to the US pressure on the country to halt its nuclear programme.

“No nation can survive without independence. Many people sacrifice their personal interests and even their lives to maintain the independence of their country,” he said expressing anger over the threats by the US to attack the country if it did not stop its nuclear programme.

“But the Iranian people will resist with force against the enemies,” he said stressing that Tehran is determined to go ahead with its efforts to have nuclear power.

The West, especially the US, accuse Iran of trying to produce weapons under the cover of its controversial nuclear programme. But Iran insists that its nuclear endeavour is of peaceful purpose and meant for generating electricity.

Ahmadinejad’s remarks came a day ahead of a deadline for Iran to respond to an incentive and diplomatic package by the European Union (EU) aimed at persuading Tehran to halt its uranium enrichment activities.

On July 19, Iran held talks in Geneva with representatives of major powers, including EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana and for the first time an official from Tehran’s arch-foe the United States, William Burns.

Iran was given until Saturday to give its final answer.

However, Iran has rejected the deadline, saying it only agreed during the Geneva meeting to examine the proposals put forward by the Iran Six - five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany.

During the Friday meeting, the Iranian president also called for the need for unity and solidarity of people to solve the existing problems.